By Banji Ayoola
Voting by delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in an indirect primary to elect its candidate in the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State, has started at the International Event Centre, Akure, the state capital venue of the exercise.
It started about 2.25 pm after the accreditation of the 2,000 delegates from the state’s 18 councils, who are voting for eight aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket.
They include the party’s candidate in the 2015 governorship election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN; the state’s Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, who decamped from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in pursuit of his aspiration; a former PDP state secretary, Senator BOluwaji Kunlere; a former South West Chairman of the party, Dr Eddy Olafeso; a former House of Representatives member and founder of Achievers University, Owo, Hon Bode Ayorinde; a former commissioner in the Adebayo Adefarati administration and ex chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Chief Sola Ebiseni; a former state PDP spokesman, Mr Banji Okunomo; and Mr Godday Erewa.
The exercise is being supervised by the Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Primary Election Committee.
To avoid overcrowding, the delegates, who were also wearing face masks in compliance with government directive to check coronavirus pandemic spread, were asked to cast their votes and leave the venue immediately.
Before the primary kicked off, Ugwuanyi assured that the process would be free, fair and transparent.
The governor added that he had met with the eight aspirants and commended their peaceful disposition to adhere to the results of the election.
His words: “It is our expectations that the election will be seamlessly conducted. This process will lead the party to victory in the October 10 governorship election.”
Seven of the aspirants were already on their seats before the exercise started.
Accreditation started some minutes past 11 a.m. Security was tight. About 800 policemen were deployed by the state police command to monitor the exercise, according to the state police spokes man, Mr Tee-Leo Okoro, an assistant superintendent.
He said that policemen are fully on ground not just because of today but because they are always in the front-line when it comes to security.
His words: “We have mapped out the whole place, like we did during the APC governorship primary election on Monday to ensure that there is no problem throughout the election.
“Right here we have about 800 personnel and also have other sister agencies to support in ensuring the security of this place.
“We are certain nobody will misbehave this time around because all politicians are aware that today is for election and not to cause any unwarranted issues.
“If you have come to vote, vote and go and if you have any support to give to your person you can do that after leaving this place.”
Two men were caught outside the venue with thumb-printed ballot papers for one of the leading aspirants, but the aspirants disowned the suspects and dissociated themselves fro the act.
One of the men caught is said to be a chieftain of the party in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Confirming the development, spokesperson of the party, Mr Zadok Akintoye, said they were caught outside the election venue.
He said: “Yes, it happened but not inside the hall where the election is taking place. Election is currently going on smoothly and aspirants have been told to warn their supporters against coming close to the election venue.”
Akintoye could not confirm the number of the ballot papers involved adding that all aspirants have dissociated themselves from the already thumb-marked papers.
